family Support
Honoring Families and Celebrating Heroes
Our family support services honor the families who’ve turned the loss of a loved one into an everlasting gift regardless of the donation outcome and celebrate the heroes whose final act on earth was to save the lives of others.
We offer grief resources and support services, not only at the time of donation, but throughout all the years that follow. Through special remembrances and events that celebrate our heroes’ lives, we give families the reassurance that memories of their loved one will never be forgotten.
Our Family Support staff understands that grief can encompass a range of feelings and vary dramatically from one person to another. We are available for additional support as you and your family navigate through the journey of grief and transition.
Information for Donor Families
The time immediately following the death of a loved one can be difficult. While families struggle to come to terms with a death, there are arrangements that need to be made and details that may require immediate attention. The following suggestions are intended to help you organize your thoughts and develop your plans.
LOPA offers programs and activities that honor and celebrate our heroes.
SUPPORTING FAMILIES THROUGH THEIR GRIEF JOURNEY
LOPA’s Traumatic Loss Support Program was created in collaboration with the Baton Rouge Crisis Intervention Center and Louisiana State University’s Department of Clinical Psychology. Our program is designed to guide families through their grief journey and to connect them to the resources that will help them heal.
What is traumatic loss? Traumatic loss can be defined as the unexpected death of a loved one that results in hurt and anguish. Several causes of death could fall under this term, including death by a car accident, cardiac event, stroke, homicide, overdose, and suicide.
GRIEF RESOURCES
We recognize that grief doesn’t keep a regular nine to five schedule. Our staff is available for additional support as you and your family navigate through this journey of grief and transition. Our Family Support Staff has compiled a list of resources and you can reach out to them at 800-521-4483 or by email at familyservices@lopa.org.
If you or a loved one is experiencing a crisis, we encourage you to contact a 24-hour crisis hotline: call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org, call 911, or go to your nearest Emergency Room.
CORRESPONDENCE WITH RECIPIENTS
You may choose to write a letter to recipients to let them know about your loved one. There are no time frames associated with correspondence.
Some individuals are delighted to share information and may respond immediately while others may find it difficult to respond to your gesture at that time. It is important to understand the letter writing process can be part of the healing process, regardless of whether or not you receive a letter in return.
If you decide to write to the transplant recipients, consider sending a hand-written or typed card or letter. We have listed some suggestions for you to consider when writing. If you would like further assistance, please contact our Family Services staff at familyservices@lopa.org or 1-800-521-GIVE.
Submit completed letters to LOPA, attention Family Services, 68190 Highway 190 Service Rd. Covington, LA 70433.
You may want to tell something about your loved one:
Names may be included
Your loved one's family (parents, sisters, brothers, marital status, children, grandchildren)
Your loved one's hobbies or interests
Talk about your loved one's work or occupation
When mailing your card or letter be sure to:
Include a separate piece of paper with your loved one's full name and date of donation.
If you are writing to several recipients, you may want to send a separate letter to each. If you prefer, we will make copies of your letter and forward it to each recipient.
Please click the button to view a sample letter.
Note: This is only an example to help get you and your family started in writing your very personal letter. The scenarios in the letter are fiction, both people and the theme.
If you decide to write to your donor’s family, consider sending a hand-written or typed card or letter. We have listed some suggestions for you to consider when writing. If you would like further assistance, please contact our Family Services staff at familyservices@lopa.org or 1-800-521-GIVE.
Submit completed letters to LOPA, attention Family Services, 68190 Highway 190 Service Rd. Covington, LA 70433.
Full name and contact information may be included
Your job or occupation
Your marital status, children, grandchildren
If making religious comments, please keep in mind that the donor's religion is unknown
Describe how the transplant changed or improved your life
Most families find comfort in hearing from recipients. A simple card, thank you note or letter can be uplifting to the family and reassure them of their unselfish decision to help others in the midst of their grief. You may or may not hear from your donor family. Some donor families have said writing about their loved one and their decision to donate helps them in their grieving process. Other families wish to maintain their privacy and choose not to write.
Please include your name and mailing address so we may notify you when your correspondence is received and forwarded to the family. If you have further questions regarding the communication process, please speak with your transplant Social Worker.
Please click the button to view a sample letter.
Note: This is only an example to help get you and your family started in writing your very personal letter. The scenarios in the letter are fiction, both people and the theme.
“Share, share, share your loved one...I felt sharing my Dru Elizabeth was a ‘light’ during a very dark time, and was healing. Sharing equals healing.”
-- Mom to Hero Dru
HOW TO GIVE BACK WITH LOPA
VOLUNTEER
Whether it is sharing your loved one’s story, advocating for donation or contributing your time for special projects, volunteering with LOPA is an opportunity to continue their legacy while also providing hope to the thousands of Louisianians on the transplant waiting list.
CONTRIBUTE
With its Core Purpose of Working for Hope, Working in Honor and Working to Heal, the LOPA Foundation solicits and receives financial donations to support LOPA’s efforts to educate and celebrate the everlasting gift of organ and tissue donation.
Update Family Support Services
We strive to be available for our donors' families and keeping in touch is very important to us.
If you would like to get in touch with us, or your family's contact information has changed since your last interaction with LOPA Family Support Services, we invite you to keep us updated by filling out the form below. If you have any questions, please email familyservices@lopa.org